ETL, which stands for Extract, Transform, Load, is a crucial data integration process used to consolidate data from various sources into a single, consistent data store. This process involves three key steps: extracting data from multiple sources, transforming it to meet specific business requirements, and loading it into a target system, such as a data warehouse. ETL has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1970s, adapting to the growing complexity of data environments. It plays a vital role in data analytics and business intelligence, enabling organizations to make informed decisions based on comprehensive and accurate data.